A Thanksgiving Miracle: Allen Kelly’s Second Chance at Life

Allen Kelly with his family.

This article is from our Spring 2026 issue. Read the full issue here.

For career film colorist and post-production artist Allen Kelly, Thanksgiving 2025 will forever hold a meaning far deeper than turkey, tradition, or gratitude lists. It was the night that changed his life.

After seven years of living with kidney failure and enduring dialysis, Allen received the call he had been waiting for — one that came unexpectedly at 11:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving night.

“They said, ‘This is so-and-so from the Connie Frank Kidney Center at UCLA. We have a kidney for you,’” Allen recalled. “I froze. It didn’t register at first that this was really happening.”

Moments later, reality set in. Allen shared the news with his family, and their quiet holiday evening instantly transformed into one filled with tears, hugs, and disbelief.

“They were jumping up and down,” he said. “We were hugging each other. And they told me, ‘You need to come down as soon as possible.’”

Within minutes, Allen and his family were in the car, arriving at UCLA around 1:00 a.m. Doctors immediately began running tests, checking his creatinine, potassium, hemoglobin, and other levels to prepare him for surgery. Even then, the journey wasn’t over yet.

“I actually had to go into dialysis again that night,” Allen explained. “My potassium levels were too high, so I had dialysis for a couple of hours to bring them down.”

By 6:00 a.m., Allen was being prepped for surgery.

“Shortly after that,” he said simply, “I came out with a new kidney.”

A Long Road to That Call

Allen’s journey with kidney disease began in 2019, after what he thought was a routine blood test.

“They looked at my creatinine levels and said, ‘Your levels are creeping up. It looks like you’re going into kidney failure,’” he said. “That was devastating.”

Doctors told him he needed to begin dialysis immediately — news that hit even harder because Allen had no idea what dialysis truly involved. Fortunately, his wife, a nurse, helped him understand what was coming.

Still, nothing could fully prepare him for the reality.

For seven years, Allen underwent dialysis three times a week, often starting at 3:15 in the morning.

“I went that early because there was room available,” he said, “and I thought maybe if I slept during dialysis, I’d still be able to work.”

Allen’s career had him working across films, television, commercials, trailers, and music videos. Known in the industry for his artistry, precision, and calm presence, he continued working as much as his body would allow — even when dialysis left him exhausted.

“They would regularly take out two to three liters of fluid at a time,” Allen said. “That, on top of the medications, really wiped me out.”

Yet he kept going — balancing work, medical appointments, strict dietary restrictions, and constant lab tests to protect his heart, organs, and overall health.

“He Never Gave Up”

Allen’s longtime friend and collaborator, David Courtice, witnessed that perseverance firsthand.

“Even when he was worn out, Allen brought such a positive spirit into every moment,” David said. “He’s the warmest, sweetest guy — someone you want to have around.”

David remembers exactly how he learned about Allen’s transplant.

“It was a text in the middle of the night on Thanksgiving,” he said. “I woke up and thought, ‘Oh my God — Allen’s getting a kidney.’ It was phenomenal.”

David shared that Allen had recently been working on public service announcements for MNITF, making the moment feel especially profound.

“He was literally working on PSAs for kidney awareness,” David said, “and then suddenly, he’s the patient.”

Gratitude, Perspective, and the Gift of Life

Today, Allen is recovering well, and his doctors are thrilled with his progress.

“They’re really happy with my lab values and how the kidney is functioning,” he said. “The surgeon even told me the operation usually takes three to four hours — and mine took an hour and a half.”

But beyond the medical success, Allen speaks most passionately about gratitude — especially toward the donor and their family.

“I’m eternally grateful,” he said. “They didn’t have to make that decision.”

That gratitude has reshaped how Allen views life.

“I’ve lived my life,” he reflected. “My kids are grown. But I still feel like there’s so much more I can do.”

He now dreams of traveling again — visiting friends in New Zealand and returning to Japan, where his mother is from.

“That will mean even more to me now,” he said, noting that his grandfather, who died at 54 from suspected kidney failure, never had access to treatments like dialysis or transplantation.

“I’m 64 now,” Allen added. “I’ve outlived my grandfather. And I wonder what the future still holds.”

A Message to Future Donors — and Patients

Allen understands that organ donation can be a difficult, emotional decision — but he hopes people see it for what it truly is.

“They are lifesavers,” he said. “People can pass on the gift of life — vision, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys. It’s something money can’t buy.”

He also offers encouragement to those currently on dialysis or facing serious illness.

“I chose not to give up,” Allen said. “I followed my doctor’s advice. I stayed on my meds. I watched what I ate. I exercised.”

“Because you never know when you’ll get the call,” he added. “You have to be ready — physically and mentally.”

For Allen, that readiness made all the difference.

Now, every Thanksgiving will serve as a reminder of what he calls his second chance at life — made possible by science, resilience, and the selfless gift of organ donation.